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Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25

Ikea US announced it will open the store, its first in Alabama, on Feb. 25 with a grand-opening celebration.

Business

It&#x27;s official: Huntsville&#x27;s Ikea store will be open within a week. Why it matters: Ikea has long been among the city&#x27;s most-desired retailers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcing last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="1ba8a082-7758-4d5e-92c8-3538a16c77ff" data-vars-headline="Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">announcing last summer</a> its plan to bring a new, smaller-format store to University Drive near GigaParts.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Development

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

Huntsville plans to open the arboretum in May, weather permitting.

News

Construction is underway at John Hunt Park on the Joy McKee Arboretum, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly named to honor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" data-vars-content-id="c488d2bc-bbf6-4051-bc2c-0a0715a7063c" data-vars-headline="&quot;A living museum:&quot; Joy McKee Arboretum takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" target="_blank">newly named to honor</a> a longtime steward of Huntsville&#x27;s green spaces.Why it matters: City landscapers saw an opportunity to preserve history, support native trees and urban canopy, give visitors a nature break and educate the public in an unused corner of the park.

Senate bill targets police staffing in Huntsville, Montgomery

Senate Bill 298 would require police departments in Alabama's Class 3 municipalities to have two sworn officers for every 1,000 residents by Oct. 1.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature aims to set minimum staffing levels for Huntsville and Montgomery police departments.Why it matters: If passed, the bill could lead to a state takeover of local law enforcement, though Huntsville leaders say the city already meets the bill&#x27;s requirements.

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

The sprawling mixed-use development has launched its official website.

Business Brief

The Residences at Front Row is getting ready to sign its first leases for a targeted June move-in date. Why it matters: The sprawling mixed-use development under construction across from the Von Braun Center has been years in the making and is expected to help transform that &quot;gateway&quot; into downtown.

Exclusive: MidCity unveils major expansion with new music venue and tech hub

In plans shared first with Axios, developer RCP Companies plans to build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more.

MidCity will build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more as part of a $300 million, 12-acre expansion.Why it matters: The public-private partnership is defining what mixed-use developments in Huntsville can be: an &quot;18-hour district,&quot; where people can find an apartment, start a new company or catch a show.

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Eli Lilly plans to start work next year on a facility that will produce orforglipron, officials announced Tuesday in Huntsville.

Eli Lilly chose Huntsville for its newest manufacturing plant — a $6 billion project and the largest single-site investment in Alabama history.Why it matters: The project aims to transform Huntsville, and the state, into a world leader in biopharma manufacturing.

The how and why of Huntsville's annexation spree

Huntsville has added 2,257 acres in annexations this year, per city data.

Huntsville is growing quickly — not only in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/25/huntsville-population-growth-trend" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/25/huntsville-population-growth-trend" target="_self">population</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="employment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/21/huntsville-drone-facility-pdw-defense-tech-us-military" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/21/huntsville-drone-facility-pdw-defense-tech-us-military" target="_self">employment</a>, but in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="square footage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/10/council-weighs-1-000-acre-annexation-tonight" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/10/council-weighs-1-000-acre-annexation-tonight" target="_self">square footage</a>. Why it matters: The city has added 2,257 acres in annexations this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per city data" data-vars-click-url="https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/server/rest/services/Boundaries/CityAnnexationsByYear/MapServer" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/server/rest/services/Boundaries/CityAnnexationsByYear/MapServer" target="_blank">per city data</a>, making it larger in land area than Chicago and raising questions about city services and strategy.

Are Huntsville homeowners "locked in?"

Huntsville's housing market sees a surge in listings as sellers adjust to a new normal in mortgage rates.

Real Estate

One bright spot in this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bummer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="7abfb23a-f674-44c8-a869-6df631cbd20c" data-vars-headline="Are Huntsville homeowners &quot;locked in?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" target="_self">bummer</a> housing market: More listings are shaking loose.Why it matters: Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" data-vars-content-id="7abfb23a-f674-44c8-a869-6df631cbd20c" data-vars-headline="Are Huntsville homeowners &quot;locked in?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" target="_self">homeowners</a> sitting on low mortgage rates are finally selling, including in Huntsville, where inventory is on the rise.

Real Estate 🏠

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

Exclusive: MidCity unveils major expansion with new music venue and tech hub

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

The how and why of Huntsville's annexation spree